Luke 17:4, commentary and pictures

The command is to forgive a brother every time he trespasses and turns again saying he repents, even if it happens seven times in one day. The seven times means unlimited forgiveness, not only seven times but seventy times seven, as often as God forgives and as often as Christ forgives. God's free forgiveness of all sins for Christ's sake, without man rendering any equivalent in return, is the pattern for forgiving an erring brother.

There is never to be weariness when wrongs are repeated, nor thinking that enough has been forgiven, nor holding the wrongdoer off as unworthy of confidence. There is never a time or place to say forgiveness will be refused and fellowship in walking and working together will be refused. Forgiveness is never to be made to wait until reform is seen, and it is never to be said, when a transformed character is seen then forgiveness will be given. Repentance and a request for help call for patience and forgiveness, not rejection or a demand to see a transformed character first.

No one has any right to judge the heart, to turn away on the ground that the brother does not feel humble enough or does not mean what he says, or to refuse confession because it does not seem humble or sincere enough, for no one can read another's heart. If forgiveness is asked it is not to be refused, and even if he is not humble enough to ask he is still to be forgiven in the heart and that forgiveness expressed in word and action. This is so the weight of his sin will not in any degree remain upon the one wronged and the burden of the offense is removed, as was failed when Jennie Gayer repented but was not forgiven or relieved of the burden laid upon her. In dealing with the erring there is to be considering of self lest of being tempted.

Such forgiveness encourages repentance and confession, and gives the erring person another chance that helps keep him from despair and further harm. Cherishing kindness, love, and a forgiving spirit toward brethren instead of a revengeful spirit is indispensable to receiving forgiveness from God. It is indispensable to being an overcomer at last through the righteousness of Christ, not one's own righteousness.